Boulder Reporting LAB News 10/27/26

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Aftersight (00:02)
Thank you for joining Aftersight for this reading of the Boulder Reporting Lab by Ron Jones on October twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six.

Boulder identifies twelve neighborhoods at highest wildfire risk, but protection goals fall short.

Followed by Inside the Money Race, Shaping Boulder's twenty twenty six election.

A commentary from Michelle Kribseck.

K-R-E-Z-E-K. Boulder County doesn't need five commissioners.

And of course, your twenty twenty six Boulder County Guide to Halloween and Dias de Los Muertos activities. Sixty six ways to celebrate.

Sundance moves headquarters out of Hotel Bol Dorado amid union dispute.

Across the aisle is Boulder's $400 million bond, a necessary investment or an expensive mistake. And then an interesting article from Sylvia Pettum, our Boulder historian. Boulder Medical Center is demolished but before it is, let's take a look at how twenty, excuse me, ten doctors built it. Correction?

Doctors built the Boulder Med Center. So back to the wildfire story. The city plans to focus wildfire protection efforts on twelve areas along its western edge, but its proposed goals would leave most homes short of recommended wildfire protection standards by 2030. This story is written by Poor Jai Zhang Kit.

Dated october twenty fifth.

And there's picture of several homes abutting city open space near Flankstaff Road, and there are some of the higher risk, of course. Boulder plans to focus its wildfire prevention efforts on a dozen neighborhoods along its western edge, where homes face some of the city's greatest wildfire risks. The approach marks a shift toward concentrating resources.

in the most vulnerable areas. But the city aims to have just 20% of homes in those areas meet wildfire home hardening standards recognized by insurers by 2030, prompting several bolder city council members to call for more ambitious goals. The proposal presented during an October 22nd Council study session

Is part of a broader plan to prioritize wildfire resilience through 2030. It includes a framework framework, correction framework called Wildfire Ready 2030, to guide projects and a resource hub to help residents protect their homes. Under the heading, Which Boulder Neighborhoods Face the Greatest Wildfire Risk?

The city's wildfire risk is not evenly distributed. The greatest danger is concentrated along Boulder's western edge, where steep terrain and dense vegetation and proximity to forested land and grasses can allow fires to spread rapidly, particularly during high winds.

City staff divided the western edge into twelve areas and evaluated them based on potential fire intensity and spread and the vulnerability of buildings. The areas fall into three risk categories the highest risk, Wonderland Hills Knowwood Red Rocks, Flagstaff University Hill, and Devil's Thumb Santahan Ridge.

The very high risk is Sinitas, Chautauqua, East Chautauqua, and NCR-NIST. High risk, Dakota Ridge, North Briar, North Wonderland, and Shanahan Ranch. The classifications are intended to help the city direct limited resources to places where wildfire could spread from surrounding wildlands.

into residential neighborhoods.

And there's a map showing this stretch north to south from Dakota Ridge on the far north to Shanahan Ranch on the south end. Hardening these prioritized areas protects everyone, not just those who live there, quote unquote, the staff wrote.

Now, under the heading, Boulder's Proposed Wildfire Protection Targets. To reduce the risk in these neighborhoods, the city aims to complete wildfire assessments for 55% of homes in the 12 priority areas by 2030, known as Detailed Home Assessments, or DHAs, the free assessments offered through Boulder Fire Rescue.

Identify wildfire vulnerabilities and recommend steps homeowners can take to reduce their risk.

But assessments alone don't reduce wildfire risk unless homeowners act on the recommendations. The city also wants 20% of homes in those areas to meet a home hardening standard by 2030. Home hardening involves changes to buildings and the areas immediately surrounding them, such as using fire-resistant materials and removing combustible vegetation.

To make homes less likely to ignite during a wildfire. These goals represent what we believe is inachievable at current investment levels. Staff wrote in a memo accompanying the study session. A major challenge is persuading the homeowners to make improvements voluntarily without an ordinance requiring them to do so.

Quote, we want to be able to do more than just hand off a report and say, here you go, homeowner. Here's a list of resources we'll check in on you later, said Boulder Fire Chief Michael Calderazo, C-A-L-D-E-R-A-Z-O. He added that since DHAs have been offered, no homeowner has completed all of their mitigation recommendations.

Quote, many have done many of them, but even they've had to prioritize on their own, unquote. Call Rose. La City officials have also struggled to determine why some residents in high-risk areas have not participated in the assessment program. To help close that gap, the city is developing a home hardening implementation hub.

That would bring together financial assistance, technical guidance, and other resources to help homeowners and renters reduce their wildfire risk. The hubs intended to serve residents across income levels. Now, under the heading Council Members Push for More Ambitious Goals, several council members argued that the proposed targets fall short.

Of the urgency of the wildfire threat. Instead of being conservative, we should be more aggressive with our goals as long as our resources can achieve them, said Councilmember Matt Benjamin. Benjamin proposed a target of assessing 100% of homes in the highest risk areas, while Councilmember Rob Kaplan recommended more ambitious phased targets for home hardening.

in each risk area. Mayor Aaron Brockett echoed the call for higher targets, pointing to the city's practice of setting aspirational goals in other areas, including climate action. We have targets that are aspirational that we may not quite meet. But we think we should meet if at all possible. I think this is a phenomenal approach.

And I'm looking forward to our city continue to operate on all cylinders. Until we get something like mandatory home hardening ordinance, we have to do everything short of harassing folks to get them educated and on board and using the tools. Change comes from endless pressure. Boulder has reconsidered requiring existing homes to meet wildfire hardening standards.

New construction has been subject to such requirements since august twenty twenty five, but expanding the requirement to existing homes would require more staff at a time when the city is facing a budget shortfall. Staff are also considering whether to tie wildfire mitigation requirements to rental licenses.

Rental licenses similar to City's Smart Regs Energy Efficiency Program. The proposed wildfire plan goes beyond individual homes. By 2030, the city also aims to reach 75% of households in high-risk areas with evacuation preparedness programs. Treat all city-owned acreage in the wildland urban interface with a wildfire risk reduction standard.

And move 20 miles of overhead utility lines underground. If additional funding becomes available in 2027, officials propose to expand home hardening grants, evaluate lower cost options for home assessments, hold more community preparedness events, upgrade emergency sirens, and increase grazing and mowing to reduce vegetation.

That could fuel fires. Councilmember Tina Marquise raised questions about residents in areas with weak cell service who may lose access to emergency information if they lose Wi-Fi. Councilmember Taysia Adams wanted staff to develop relocation and recovery plans for residents displaced by a wildfire. Staff are expected to report back to council on progress.

in spring of next year.

Now, of course, the big one is how Boulder plans to pay for wildfire protection. The city's priority wildfire programs are estimated to cost as much as $10 million, including staffing, equipment, and contractor services. Boulder's $552.6 million budget, approved October 15th, includes $11 million.

For wildfire resilience, an increase of $1.6 million over 2026. To support the effort, the city has redirected $300,000 from its climate fund and increased capital investments by open space and mountain parks by $560,000. Staff are continuing to pursue other sources of funding, up to $1.25 million in county, state,

and federal grants and are considering redirecting another six hundred thousand from the open space fund.

Well, that's all very interesting. Now let's go to the next story.

Which is going to be Inside the Money Race Shaping Boulder's twenty twenty six election. This is written by Brooke Stevenson, also dated October twenty second. Follow the money, as they say.

With less than two weeks until election day, a clearer picture of who is raising and spending money in Boulder's 2026 election is taking shape. This year, Boulder will elect five city council members and for the second time directly elect its mayor. One candidate for mayor has received substantially more money than his rivals, while two county ballot major campaigns

Have raised nearly half a million dollars combined. According to the latest campaign finance reports, Achilles La Grave, again I apologize for any mispronunciation, who is running for public office for the first time has reported 40,693 in campaign funds, including a loan from himself of $10,542.

His total is about sixty percent higher than that of any other candidate. Most of his rivals have opted into the city's public campaign financing program, which limits how much they can spend. The money is flowing into an election that could reshape the political balance of Boulder's city council. The city faces budget cuts, declining tax revenue, and questions about city spending.

Candidates are divided over how to address housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety, as well as issue 2K, a $400 million bond measure to repair and replace aging city buildings. And at least two new members will join the nine-member council after election.

Mayoral candidates take different approaches to campaign financing. Unlike other candidates, LaGrave opted out of the city's public campaign financing program. Under Boulder's program, the city matches eligible campaign donations up to twelve thousand three sixty-six, allowing participating candidates to receive up to that amount of money in public funding, with total campaign spending capped.

At 24,731. The program is designed to limit campaign spending and help candidates with fewer financial resources compete by matching eligible private donations with public funds. And in exchange, candidates must agree to that spending cap, accept donations only from individuals, not businesses or organizations.

And limit their own contribution to about 5,000. LaGrave qualified for the program by raising at least 2,473 in small donations, but chose not to participate, making him the only one of 19 candidates to turn down public funding after qualifying. By opting out, he's not subject to the program's spending cap or its restrictions on who could contribute.

In addition to his loan, he's also accepted donations from two entities identified in campaign finance reports as Serial Studio Visuals and False Midnight Limited. Two other candidates for mayor Aaron Brackett and Councilmember Tasha Adams both accepted matching funds, including the city's matching funds.

Brockett has raised $24,731 and Adams has raised $21,706. Neither has contributed more than $100 to their own campaign. A similar pattern emerged in Boulder's first mayoral election in 2023 when former council member did not accept matching funds and spent about $37,000 on his campaign. His opponents, including Brockett, who won the race, accepted matching funds.

And the accompanying spending cap. Yates, however, voluntarily followed some of the program's restrictions, including its prohibition on corporate donations. Boulder limits campaign contributions to $100 per donor, including contributions from business or candidates who do not participate in the city's public financing program. So far, the Boulder candidates have raised more than

$174,000. In total, many oral and council candidates have reported that $174,000 in campaign funds, and the city has contributed an additional $124,000 in matching funds. Candidates have spent half the combined total.

In addition to Brocket, Council members Tara Weiner, Ryan Schuhard, and former Councilmember Joe Grano have also received the maximum amount of public matching funds available under the city's program. Council members Tina Marquise has come close, as has challenger Ryan Jameson.

Now, outside groups spend money on council races. Under that heading, four groups have formed independent expenditure committees to influence Boulder's election. The Boulder Progressives, Open Boulder, the Colorado Jewish Action Alliance, and one established local entrepreneur and investor, Dan Caruso. Independent expenditure committees are not subject to candidate spending caps.

They can spend money to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures, but they cannot coordinate their spending with the candidates they support. Open Boulder and Boulder Progressives have also have unofficial candidate committees that can accept contributions. Between these two committees, Open Boulder has spent 16,160 on mailers.

The city has not yet processed Boulder Progressive's latest spending report. As of October 7th, its committees have spent four thousand three hundred forty four on mailers and advertising. Boulder Progressives generally backs more progressive candidates, while Open Boulder generally supports more moderate ones, although their endorsements overlap in several races. Caruso, whose telecommunications company is Zio, created.

Z-A-Yo was acquired in a multi-billion dollar deal in 2020, has spent 7,228, about half of it, on audio ads, encouraging students and recent graduates to vote. He spent the remainder on flyers and a website, affordboulder.com, promoting his preferred candidates. The Colorado Jewish Action Alliance has spent $300 on a text message campaign.

supporting its preferred candidates.

Boulder Progressives and Colorado Jewish Action Alliance have endorsed Brockett for mayor. Open Boulder did not reach a consensus on a mayoral endorsement, and is instead focusing its council endorsements. Caruso is supporting LaGrave and five council candidates.

County ballot measure campaigns raise hundreds of thousands. At the county level, two groups have raised substantially more money than the city ballot measure campaigns to support two proposals. One to expand the number of county commanders commissioners, correction, commissioners from three to five, and the other to levy a new property tax to help pay for child care.

Big Tent Boulder County, the group behind the proposed commission expansion, County Question 200, has raised $142,000 and spent $115,732. Most of that spending went to voter outreach and early in the year paid canvassers who joined volunteers in collecting more than 18,000 signatures to get the major on.

The Theory O'Leary Living Trust contributed fifty five thousand dollars to the effort. Kent Theory, the former CEO of De Vita DA Capital V I T A, and his wife Denise O'Leary, also founded the Leary Theory O'Leary Foundation. He has spent large sums on several election reform efforts, including all candidate primaries and redistricting.

Enough about that. And our bolder elections, let's go to the next story.

And this is a commentary opinion piece by Michelle Kresick, K-R-E-Z-E-K. Boulder County doesn't need five commissioners.

Michelle Kresick, who served as chief of staff to the Boulder County Commissioners from 2008 to 2022, 14 years chief of staff to the commissioners, now lives in Essex Park. The proposal to expand the Boulder County Commission from three members to five may be well intentioned, but it would impose substantial costs without guaranteeing better representation.

Responsiveness or decision making. Before adding two elected officials, the community should determine whether targeted reforms within the current system could address those concerns more effectively and at far less cost. Moving forward with this proposal would be fiscally irresponsible. Salary and benefits for two additional commissioners alone.

Would exceed $350,000 annually before accounting for staff and office expenses. Total annual costs could therefore approach half a million dollars. Supporters may characterize that amount as a small share of the county budget, but Boulder Council, excuse me, correction, Boulder County is already addressing a budget gap of more than $25 million.

Through layoffs and early retirements that affect community services. Adding permanent expenses under these conditions would place further pressure on an already constrained budget. Questions about whether a three-member board can remain responsive in a large, complex county are understandable. During my tenure as chief of staff to five different boards, however.

I saw commissioners strengthen constituent communication and outreach while building effective relationships with municipal, county, and state partners.

Recovering from natural disasters Boulder County experienced between twenty ten and twenty twenty one required sustained collaboration and community engagement, as did responses to shifts in state and federal funding, new regulatory requirements, and resulting changes in service delivery. During these challenges, commissioners worked with partner agencies.

And community groups to maintain open communication and involve residents in policy and budget discussions. For example, passports used the Boulder County Consortium of Cities to address revenue sharing, affordable housing, the effects of opioid and other drug addiction, and transportation planning, giving elected representatives.

And municipal staff have formed to work through countywide issues together. Commissioners also held town halls with unincorporated communities and annual public meetings with municipal partners to identify shared concerns and opportunities for collaboration. Some constituents nevertheless believe commissioners are unresponsive or ignore their needs.

If the current modes of communication and collaborations are not working, residents and partner organizations should continue to demand greater responsiveness and more effective decision making. Simply adding two commissioners does not guarantee better results. The desire for greater diversity and representation is equally understandable.

But those goals require more than adding seats. Evaluating whether Question two hundred would advance them requires answering two distinct questions, whether it would change how candidates are recruited and supported, and whether district based representation would serve constituents better than a countywide perspective. Adding two seats would create two additional opportunities.

For elected office, but it would not change the candidate selection process that determines who reaches the ballot. Boulder County does not lack qualified individuals with the experience, commitment, and temperament to serve effectively on multi-member executive board. The underlying challenge is ensuring that a wider range of qualified candidates are recruited.

Mentored and supported through the current system. Expanding the commission without addressing that pipeline would increase the number of positions without necessarily increasing the diversity of candidates or office holders. Geographic diversity would also remain difficult to achieve because districts must meet statutory, excuse me, correction, statutory.

requirements for population and political competitiveness. Currently commissioners must live in different districts, but are elected at large.

So every county voter helps choose all three members, and every commissioner remains accountable to the county as a whole. Under question 200, five commissioners would be elected either entirely by district or through a mixed system of three district seats and two at-large seats. Depending on the system adopted, voters would elect either one commissioner or three.

But not all five. The added cost would therefore not automatically increase each voter's representation and could encourage more parochial decision making at the expense of countywide priorities. My experience with district mapping reinforces that concern. When the League of Women Voters previously explored a five member commissioned

I helped prepare public presentations showing how districts could be drawn under the statutory requirements. That work revealed a practical limitation. The statutory requirements, combined with Boulder County's development patterns, make it difficult to create dedicated representation for unincorporated and mountain communities. More districts, therefore, would not guarantee.

a stronger voice for the communities who feel underrepresented. Throughout my career, I worked with dedicated public officials who collaborated tirelessly with the community members and partner organizations to provide excellent public service.

I joined former Commissioners Josie Heath, Jana Mendez, Will Tor, Deb Gardner, and Elise Jones, former Sheriff Joe Pell, and other current and former elected officials in opposing question two hundred. Boulder County does not need a larger commission and needs accountable, responsive leadership from the commission it already has.

Question 200 would create permanent costs at a time of budget pressure without guaranteeing better representation, stronger collaboration, or more effective decisions. Voters should reject this costly and unnecessary expansion and demand reforms that address the underlying concerns directly.

Now let's go to the next story.

Your twenty twenty six, Boulder County Guide to Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Sixty six ways to celebrate. So let's run through this. There's a picture, of course, of ⁓ people in costumes on Pearl Street on November s second, twenty twenty one. And a lot of colorful garb and face painting and ⁓

I won't try to describe who I think they're trying to represent. But remember that Halloween on the Boulder Mall has always been a special place. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31st. Dia de los Muertos follows November 1st and 2nd. From family friendly trick or treating to late night parties, Boulder County has plenty of ways to celebrate.

And I forgot to mention, this is by Mackenzie Watson-4, F-O-R-E, who's put together this list. Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, has roots in indigenous Mexican traditions and incorporates Catholic observances. Now remember, that's Dia de los Muertos, November 1st and 2nd.

The holiday honors deceased loved ones. Families create altars, in parentheses of and offer food, flowers, and cherished items as they welcome the spirits of the dead for a visit. Boulder favorites such as the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Munchkin Masquerade are reporting, alongside smaller events you might not know about. Browse events by community.

Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lions, and Netherland. Check out the Boulder Reporting Lab's events calendar for more offerings and to post your event for free. Boulder Halloween S Y N T concert Thursday, october twenty second.

sorry, that's already passed. Never mind. Let me get back on the calendar here.

And we're getting closer, so let's see, to twenty seven.

Dia de Los Muertos exhibit, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, seventeen fifty thirteenth Street. So that's up on the hill. And it's the BMOCA presents its annual community installation of Ofrendas, created by community groups and artist Anthony Mayas. A reception will be held Sunday, november first, two to five.

Also today, Halloween skate party. Come dress to thrill at the annual Halloween skate party. That's at the Avalon Ballroom, 6185 East Arapahoe Road.

Tomorrow, October twenty eighth, at the Junkyard Social Club, twenty-five twenty five Frontier Avenue Suite A, six thirty PM, five theater companies take the stage to reinterpret the cult classic Beetlejuice. That's a great old show. Friday, October 30th, at the Dairy Arts Center, movie Scarathon Double Feature.

The Bride of Frankenstein and the 1976 Carey. That's a Stephen King thriller. Friday, October 30th. Dead Fish Orchestra. The Ghost of Fish, P H I S H Halloween's Past. 8 PM 4747 Pearl Street Suite V three A. Color Jam Quartet of Dead Fish.

Orchestra brings the spirits of classic fish moments to life for Halloween. It's adult oriented and ticketed. Friday, october thirtieth, the Fisk Planetor Planetarium, twenty four fourteen Regent Drive, eleven thirty PM. So mid almost midnight, eleven thirty Friday at the Fisk Planetarium.

Which comes alive with classic Halloween hits reimagined through mind of melting visuals and a flight through the cosmos. Halloween dance party and costume parade. October 31st, Canyon Theater, 1000 Canyon Boulevard. That's the old Boulder Library. Attendees are invited to come in costume, march in a lively costume parade.

And learn classic Halloween dances. Kids' Halloween party, Saturday, October 31st, Junkyard Social Club. Again at 2525 Frontier Avenue, Suite A, noon to 4. Spookycrafts and Treats bring Halloween fund to the whole family at Junkyard Social. Finally, the Boulder Magic Show, Halloween, Saturday, October 31st.

The Dairy Arts Center 1 p.m. 2590 Walnut 1 p.m. Braden Carlisle performs a family-friendly magic show for all to enjoy. Ticketed and family-friendly. Dia de Muertos, a Living Tradition, Saturday, October 31st at the Reynolds Library, 3595 Table Mesa Drive, 1 to 2 p.m. Musea

De las Americas leads a bilingual workshop where participants will learn about Dia de Muertos, decorate sugar schools, and create paper marigolds and papel bocado. It's free. Registrations required aimed at ages five to eleven. Rats, I can't go decorate a sugar school. Halloween Pick a flick, Saturday, October thirty first, the Canyon Theater.

Again that's ⁓ canyon t old library building. Rise and shine community supports Halloween Pick a flick, a sensory friendly film screening where guests are free to talk and move about during the movie.

This event is open to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, support staff, and the broader community. It's free for all ages. Again, the Boulder Mall. Pearl Street Mall, 3 to 6 PM, Saturday, October 31st, children ages twelve and under are invited to dress up in their costumes and trick or treat at participating business downtown.

Also at the Canyon Theater on October 31st, 5 to 9 30 p.m., the Boulder Public Library District presents a double feature of original zombie films, Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, free ages 12 and up.

Six annual Motown Haunted Prom Saturday Roots Project 4747 Pearl Suite V three A 7 PM Dance Party 7 piece band three incredible vocalists that bring in the golden area of Motown and Soul to lie.

Magical Portal Party Spooktopia The Junkyard Social Club seven thirty PM After Dark Adults only Halloween Party with costumes cocktails dancing and more.

Film Social, Coco, Sunday, November first, also at the Boulder ⁓ Library ⁓ Canyon Theater. Family friendly screening begins with movie themed activity. In honor of Dia de los Muertos, the film is Coco. The pre-movie activity is making tissue paper marigolds.

November first activities La Muerta A Dia de los Muertos Celebration. That's at the Junkyard Social Club, twenty five twenty-five Frontier, three to eleven PM. And then Sunday, November first at Munzinger Auditorium in on CU campus, nineteen five Colorado Avenue, Boulder based Indie Film Festival.

Features ten minute amateur horror films. Audience members will vote on who should win cash prizes and the infamous goblet of woe, free for all ages, again that's Sunday, november first, Munzinger Auditorium, nineteen five Colorado Avenue, seven thirty PM.

Erie, Anderson Farms Fall Festival, sixty-seven twenty eight County Road. ⁓ that's through Saturday, October thirty first. Corn Mays, Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Canyon and more ticketed. Salem Speakeasy, four course dinner. ⁓ that's passed. Already happened. Erie Erie.

Erie Erie features Halloween themed 5K, 10K races that pass through historic downtown Erie and wind through the Coal Creek open space alongside Pleasant Hill Cemetery, ticketed and family friendly.

Lafayette?

Halloween at Bounce Empire Bounce Empire 1380 South Public Road 9 PM to 3 AM. Halloween is Colorado's biggest 21 plus Halloween party, featuring an open bar, 50 attractions, and a thousand dollar costume contest. It's ticketed in 21 plus. Longmont Let's see what's still going on up there. Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Classic. ⁓ Saturday, Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main Street, times may vary. It's the Longmont Theatre Company, annual stage production of the Colt Classic, ticketed, adult oriented.

Thursday, October 29th, the Mount Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Fritz Lang's Destiny. 1921 achievement of German Expressionism: A Young Woman Confronts Death to Save Her Fiance. The Mount Alto Motion Picture Orchestra plays a live score to accompany the silent film. Friday, Halloween comedy, show, and costume contest.

Friday, October thirtieth, at the Parkway Food Hall, seven hundred Ken Prack Boulevard, suite two hundred, six thirty to nine costume contest, adult oriented, ticketed.

Nulce de Museo, Friday, October thirtieth, Alongmont Museum, four hundred Quail Road, seven PM.

And so forth and so on and there's just all kinds of them. Go online and Google the different communities and also go to the Boulder Reporting Lab to see the entire list. Let's go back to the news.

Sundance moves headquarters out of Hotel Boldorado amid a union dispute. Hotel workers have urged the Sundance Film Festival to use its influence to help resolve their union dispute. The Sundance Institute says the move is intended to accommodate its need for more space. The Sundance Film Festival is moving its boulder headquarters out of the Hotel Boulderado.

As workers at the historic downtown hotel wage months-long campaign to unionize and call on festivals organized to support their efforts. The Sundance Institute says the move was driven by a need for more space, and that discussions with the new venue began before the labor dispute. The move was announced October 15th, the day tickets went on sale for Sundances.

First festival.

The notice did not mention the hotel Bolderado. The switch comes to Bolderado workers campaign to get their union recognized. In the recent months they have picketed outside the hotel and urged the festival's organizers to use their influence to encourage hotel management to resolve the labor dispute. Unite here, a national hospitality union, is helping organize the Boulder, Colorado.

employees.

Excuse me, correction, the Bolderado employees.

In 2025, the iconic 117-year-old Hotel Bullerado was purchased by Nashville-based AJ Capital after over 40 years under the same ownership. By July 2026, hotel workers were trying to unionize, citing layoffs, reduced hours, and heavier workloads.

In the five years I've worked there, no one has ever brought up needing to unionize until recently, Liz Lytle, a front-of-the-house employee, told Boulder Reporting Lab in July. That just shows how bad things turned so quickly. Schulte Hospitality, which AJ Capital contracts with to manage the hotel Boldado, and several other hotels has not recognized the union.

AJ Capital and Sulty Hospitality did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Let's go to the next news story.

And that is about across the aisle. Is Boulder $400 million bond a necessary investment or an expensive mistake by Bob Yates and Brian C. Keegan, dated October twenty first?

In this ongoing series, Boulder Reporting Lab columnists Brian Keegan and Bob Yates discussed the local issues. Boulder voters faced a decision this November on ballot issue T 2K, which would authorize the city to borrow $400 million through bonds to pay for new buildings and repair existing ones, to repay the debt plus interest.

The city is also seeking authorization to increase property taxes by up to $650 million over 20 years. For residential properties, this would result in an annual property tax of about $400 for every $1 million in actual value. For commercial properties, the increase would be about four times this amount.

Brian Keegan, a CU professor, supports issue 2K as a way to address years of deferred maintenance. Bob Yates, a former Boulder City Council member, opposes it, arguing that the city should rethink its spending plans and return to voters with a smaller proposal. Here comes Bob Yates's first statement. Brian, in our last across the aisle discussion,

We agreed that increasing the number of Boulder County commissioners from three to five was wise, but we quibbled over the best way to elect those five. Now let's pivot to another ballot measure. This issue two K.

And Bob Yates is against it. Now, Brian, thanks for teeing this up, Bob. I'm a reluctant supporter of issue two K and I think you'd be hard pressed to find any enthusiastic supporters. Adding more debt, p particularly with high interest rates, is far from ideal. The reason this bond issue is before voters this year is urgencies. Voters

City Council unanimously recommended putting this issue before voters because there is an expensive and growing maintenance backlog against the city's aging buildings. Some are used by everyday residents like rec centers, while others are used by our essential workers, like maintenance crews and police.

The city for years budgeted less than a quarter of the recommended maintenance spending. There's no time machine scenario where we could force previous councils and staff to make different budgeting decisions so this deferred maintenance didn't fall in our lap. Punting another year means more closures, repairs, and uncertainty. Bob, why didn't previous councils and city managers do more?

To address this maintenance backlog earlier. Bob Yates says they did. I know because I was on some of these councils at least until 2023. In 2014, 2017, and 2021, the city council proposed and voters overwhelmingly approved and renewed the community culture, resilience, and safety in parentheses, CCRS.

Tax to repair replaced municipal facilities. Those funds supported rec centers, fire stations, streets, and parks.

And in 2021, City Council adopted a facilities master plan, committing annual funding to maintain the facilities we already have. Regrettably, city revenue shortfalls in recent years have prevented council from fully funding this plan. That's why we find ourselves short in 2026. It's a bit like the person who takes a peg cut at work, and then his neighbor asks him why he hasn't replaced his roof.

Now, in September, after the city put issue 2K on the ballot, city staff discovered a building they could buy and renovate for a new police headquarters at about a third of the original 170 million that they requested. About the same time, Councilmember Tina Marquise widely su wisely correction suggested selling or repurposing the soon to be vacated Tate Municipal Building.

Rather than spending 30 million to renovate it. Voila! We just knocked nearly 150 off the $400 million ballot request. That wasn't so hard. There is precedent for closely examining the city's staff's initial wish list. In 2011, I co-chaired a residence committee that winnowed a $726 million city staff infrastructure list.

Down to a $49 million tax package, which voters approved overwhelmingly. After issue 2K fails this year, and it will fail, in his opinion, City Council should reconvene the residence panel to see if they can turn a $400 million city staff wish list into something more palatable to taxpayers.

And I think I'll just end that one there. And let's go to the next story, which has got a little bit of Boulder history. I've only got just a few minutes. Before Boulder Medical Center is demolished, look at how 10 doctors built it. I'm a longtime patient of the doctors at Boulder Medical Center, and it's a wonderful facility for ⁓ getting medical care.

When the local independent physician-owned medical center opened in nineteen forty-nine, it ushered in an era of specialized medical care in Boulder. According to the center's website, it plans to relocate within the Boulder community. Now though, before the current building is demolished, it's a good time to reflect on the city's cooperative beginnings.

One of the first doctors was these physician was Dr. Howard E. Houston, a former Midwestern school administrator who switched careers to medicine after his first wife died of complications following childbirth. He went into partnership with Dr. Carbon Gillespie. In later years both served as Boulder Mayors. They were also colleagues of Dr. Fitz Henry Farrington.

He was known, doctor Harrington, for asking to use the bathroom, then rummaging through their medicine cabinets to better understand his conditions. His son Paul and then his grandson John Farrington eventually took over his practice. Then came World War II. Doctors Houston and Gillespie saw their medical colleagues join the ranks with more education and often in specialized fields of medicine.

So they decided to form the Boulder Medical Center. And here are their names Howard H. Houston, John D. Gillespie, Lawrence E. Marer, M-A-U-R-E-R, Christopher Martin, Olaf Will Allison, Jock Jack D. Bartholomew.

Carl J. Gilman, Joseph S. Cowgill, John C. McDonald, correction, John G. McDonald and Klaus D. Bonham, followed by Clyde C. Galwick. A cooperative effort to provide better medical facilities in our community, dated nineteen forty nine, January one. And it's been a great place. I've got great care from the Boulder Middle.

Center. And that's all the time we have for this reading of the Bold Reporting Lab. My name is Ron Jones. ⁓ get out there and vote. Don't fail to vote. Take care.